glossary
Pre-ringing is a small smear that can appear before a transient when using linear phase filters.
Linear phase EQ preserves phase relationships by spreading filter energy around a sound. On sharp transients, that can create a subtle ringing or blur before the transient itself.
The effect is most noticeable with steep filters, large boosts or cuts, and low-frequency material with clear attacks.
Linear phase processing can be useful when phase shift would cause problems between parallel signals or stereo material. The tradeoff is latency and the possibility of pre-ringing.
Minimum phase EQ usually feels more natural on drums and bass because its artifacts follow the transient instead of preceding it.
Try gentler slopes, smaller moves, or minimum phase mode if the attack gets soft. Compare at matched loudness because a brighter or louder EQ move can distract from timing changes.
Meter Core helps verify level and peak changes while you decide whether the filter mode is helping the mix.